In the Heights at Hyde Park High School

Hyde Park High School, under the supervision of Danielle Bentel presents In the Heights, the musical, in conjunction with celebrating the 60^th anniversary of Hyde Park High School.

The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The music and lyrics were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also wrote Hamilton, and the book was by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

This production was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning four: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler), and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman). It won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. It was also nominated for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Danielle Bentel, the producer and co-director, chose this musical in order to expose the learners to as many of South Africa’s top musical theatre professionals across many spheres of the industry; from choreography, to directing through to the technical and backstage support. 

Be an Anonymous Angel, donate HERE

“When I first heard about Lin Manuel Miranda's In the Heights two years ago, I was taken by this rap meets salsa musical. This planted the seed as a possibility for the next Major Production. When I discovered that the next major Production fell in the same year as the school's 60th anniversary, I decided that there was no better way to raise the bar on the cultural front, celebrate 60 years of holistic academic excellence and advance the learners than by premiering the show.”

Bentel has enlisted a team of phenomenal talent. The gorgeous musical theatre performer Stefania Du Toit who is co – directing, and also heads up the choreography for the show. Stefania will be assisted by the ever so talented Lesego Ramathare. The zesty Tony Award Winning score is musically directed by Matthew Vlok, with assistant Musical Director, Tate Mhunduru.

“The show is a colourful, refreshing and exuberant celebration of the daily lives of characters from all walks of life, yet despite the challenges and hardship that life throws at them they remain a close knit community. For me, Hyde Park High School is also a community joined together by 60 years of hard work, dedication and family values, living up to our motto – ‘Hyde Park, a great place to grow up’”,

Bentel continues.

Advertise HERE

The show opens on the 3^rd of May 2017 and ends on the 6^th of May 2017. Performance starts at 19:00, two shows on Saturday, 6 May: 15:30 & 19:30. Tickets are R50 each. They can be bought through the school via info@hydepark.gp.school.za or awright@hydepark.gp.school.za where banking details will be provided for an EFT to be made, or they can be bought at the door.